Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(64)
But I need you, anyway. I can’t take care of the hole inside my heart.
He didn’t say that, though. He rose and took their glasses from the table. Standing by her at the sink, he remembered a night when he’d thought he’d die of longing to taste her, to touch her.
Now he’d done both. And the pain raged like a wounded beast inside him.
“Well…” he said. “I’d better get back to the barn and check on the colt.”
As he turned, he caught one quick glance of Maddie’s face. There were tears in her eyes.
With an aching heart, Boone clenched his fists and walked toward the door.
I have nothing to offer her. Nothing like what she could have. But with every step, his heart cried out louder, howling to be heard.
“What will you name him?”
Boone couldn’t imagine what she was asking. He turned. “Name who?”
Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.
Don’t do this to me, Maddie. I’m trying to let you go. I’m trying to do the right thing for you.
“The colt.” Maddie sniffed hard and drew her shoulders up straight.
Valiant. Strong. A heart as big as the sky. She was everything he’d ever wanted, everything he’d ever need.
The words came out before he could stop them. “Don’t go, Maddie.” His heart thundered so loudly he could barely hear her reply.
“What?” Her eyes widened.
“I said, don’t go. Please. Stay with me.” He hurried on, unable to stop himself now. “I know I don’t have anything to offer compared to New York. You could have the world at your feet there. The sky is the limit for you. But if you stay and marry me, I’ll do everything in my power to see that you never regret it. I’ll work hard and save money so I can take you to those places you like. I know Morning Star isn’t much, but—”
“Yes.”
“—I promise I’ll—” He stopped cold. “What? What did you say?”
Then there she was again, the Maddie he loved. That smile that made the world bright bloomed beneath her tears. Those eyes sparkled again.
Nothing could be very wrong when Maddie was smiling.
“I said yes. I want to stay. We don’t have to get married, but—”
He was across the floor in an instant, hauling her into his arms. “Yes, we do,” he demanded. “I want to know you’re mine, for good.”
But honor required that he be sure she understood. He pulled back slightly. “I didn’t make Helen happy. Maybe you should think about this. Don’t be impulsive.”
“I’m always impulsive, Boone,” she teased. Then she sobered. “Would you change me?”
“I don’t want to change anything about you. I just want to love you.”
Maddie searched his gaze. “You were going to send me away because you thought it was what I wanted, weren’t you?”
“You should still want it. I can’t give you New York.”
“Making decisions for me, Boone?”
He had the grace to blush.
“I don’t want New York. I want you.”
Boone’s eyes turned very serious. “I’ll never love another woman but you, Maddie. Gallagher men—”
“Love only once,” she chimed in. “That’s good. I’m pretty handy with a knife.”
He smiled, but his eyes were still serious. “I could come with you to New York. You could still have that dream.”
If Maddie doubted that he loved her, here was ample proof. “You mean that, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Maddie sighed and laid her head against his chest. “You really do love me.”
“What about you, Maddie?” She’d never heard him sound uncertain before.
She lifted her head and placed one hand on his heart. “I would never ask you to leave. I don’t want to leave, either. I’ve never belonged anywhere before. I love you, and I love this place. Here—” She pressed against his heart. “This is where home is now.”
Boone’s eyes held all the love in the world as he lowered his lips to hers.
“Welcome home, Maddie.”
Epilogue
Maddie rushed toward Sam’s old office, which she now shared with Boone. Vondell had found her in the garden, telling her that Dev had returned and wanted to meet with them both before tomorrow’s wedding festivities. Maddie chewed her lip, hoping for good news about Mitch or the missing sister. It would be the best wedding present possible.
Though they had intended only a small, private ceremony with a justice of the peace, once word got out, Morning Star had been intent upon something completely different. It was amazing what could be done in two weeks.